A POLICE survey asking families for their views on community support officers has found almost 60 per cent would like to see more on patrols around the streets.

Last month, Warwickshire Police invited families in the county to pass on their views at the touch of a button by logging onto its website.

The force was one of the first in the country to introduce police community support officers (PCSOs) after a study revealed a more visible presence on the streets was needed.

Residents had a month to comment on the scheme, with the poll closing on New Year's Day.

Although the full results of the survey will not be published until the spring, police say the initial findings have been encouraging.

Officers say 91 per cent of people who responded knew what a PCSO was, 48 per cent of respondents felt safer in the community since they were introduced and 58 per cent wanted to see more of them on patrol.

Almost half of those who took part in the survey had contact with a community support officer, with 44 per cent saying they had noticed an increase in high visibility patrolling since the officers were drafted onto the streets in 2002.

Of those surveyed, 27 per cent said they saw a PCSO once a week, while 21 per cent reported seeing one once a month and 17 per cent said they saw an officer on patrol every day.

Internet surfers were also asked where they would like to see more community support officers.

The top three choices were housing estates, parks and gardens and town centres.

Support officers are issued with a radio, wear high visibility uniforms and can issue fixed penalty notices for cycling on pavements, confiscate alcohol and remove abandoned vehicles, but they do not have the same powers of arrest as police officers.

"The responses will help us decided how to use PCSOs in the future," said Dave Shirley, PCSO manager.

"We need to know what people think of PCSOs now and how they can better support communities in the future."